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<\/p>\n“Uncle Kenny! Uncle Kenny! Uncle Davy!”<\/p>\n
Six little feet tripped over each other in their haste to run to Hutch. Little arms wrapped around his legs and then grabbed for Starsky’s legs as Starsky came up behind him.<\/p>\n
Laughing, Hutch dropped his carry-on suitcase and picked up one towheaded child in each arm, kissing each delighted little face on the cheek. He looked over at Starsky, who was grinning happily as he lifted another blond urchin up in the air and then hugged the little boy to his chest. Most of the passengers behind them in the jetway smiled; one or two looked annoyed as they sidestepped the joyous reunion to make their way out of the tunnel.<\/p>\n
“Boys! Katie! Let Uncle Kenny and Davy get inside the airport before you knock them over!” called an exasperated, breathless female voice. Kimberly Hutchinson Hagen caught up to her brood and looked adoringly at her brother, putting her arms around him and the cherubs he held.<\/p>\n
“Ken,” she sighed. “I am so happy you are here!” Turning to Starsky, she gave him a warm hug. “And you, too, Dave. It’s been too long!” Tousling her little boy’s hair ruefully as he curiously poked at the mole on Starsky’s cheek, she stepped back out of the path of the exiting passengers and pulled Starsky with her. “I couldn’t keep them from running to you as soon as they saw you. Erik is at work, or he could have helped me control this wild crew!”<\/p>\n
Hutch followed them into the waiting area and looked lovingly at his tall, blond younger sister. “Kim. You look wonderful. And what are you feeding these little troublemakers? They look twice as big as when I saw them last!” He put the little girl and boy down gently. “Drew, Katie. You want to come with Uncle Ken to get his luggage? You can see the big carousel go around and around!”<\/p>\n
“Me too! Me too!” The littlest boy squirmed out of Starsky’s arms. Starsky put him down and relinquished him to take his mother’s hand. “Yes, Robby. You can come too. Wait until you see the machine spit out those big suitcases!”<\/p>\n
The happy contingent made their way to baggage claim. As they were waiting for their luggage to arrive, Hutch smiled at his sister.<\/p>\n
“Thank you for hosting us for Christmas, Kim. Starsky wants to see real snow again. Says he misses it. I for one don’t, but as long as I don’t have to shovel it, I can appreciate how pretty it is.” He looked fondly at Starsky, who had gone up to the window and was gazing out at the white drifts. “Hope we brought warm enough clothes. We don’t really have much use for those in Bay City.”<\/p>\n
“Oh, Ken. Just having you here in Duluth warms my heart so much that I don’t care how cold it is.” Kim squeezed Hutch’s arm. “We’re going to have a real family Christmas.” Seeing Hutch’s face clouded with doubt, she squeezed his arm again. “Really. Warm and merry and bright.”<\/p>\n
Hutch looked at his nephew and niece busily kicking a wayward piece of paper back and forth and lowered his voice. “It will certainly be merry with this bunch. Kim\u2014you don’t know how much it means to me\u2014to us\u2014that we are welcome, together, in your home, for a family Christmas.”<\/p>\n
Kim smiled wistfully as she glanced at Starsky admiring the snowy landscape. “Ken\u2026 you know that I love you. And I love David, and I know what he means to you.” She hugged him again. “You are both family to me and Erik, even if… if our parents can’t seem to accept that.” She lifted her eyebrows conspiratorially. “They’re in the Bahamas, you know. One of Dad’s clients offered them the use of a condo there for the holidays. So no worries about those kinds of complications during your visit.”<\/p>\n
Just then the carousel started, and luggage began popping out of the chute to slide down to its circuitous path. Starsky trotted over toward the carousel and took Robby’s arm. “Look, champ! Here it comes. Help me find ours! Mine’s blue, and Hutch’s is brown.”<\/p>\n
Luggage collected, they trailed to the parking garage and loaded up for the ride to the home Kim shared with her husband Erik and their three rambunctious children: five-year-old Drew, three-year-old Katie, and two-year-old Robby. As they pulled up to the house, the Christmas lights shone on the blankets of snow, creating a warm glow.<\/p>\n
Hutch was filled with many conflicting emotions: childhood memories, not all of them good; and most of all, a great yearning for the love and security of extended family.<\/p>\n
Since he and Starsky had finally admitted their love, Starsky had become his life partner, soul mate, and lover, and fulfilled Hutch in ways he had never imagined. But as their relationship had deepened over the last two years, and they had suffered the rejection of Hutch’s parents, they had both struggled to come to terms with the simple biological fact that their family would not be able to grow as a result of their love. Although totally devoted to each other, a part of both of them longed for children that would be a blend of the qualities they adored in each other and would immortalize their bond. They had talked many times about the possibilities: adoption, foster children like Molly and Kiko, and surrogacy which was a new and chancy proposition fraught with emotional and legal challenges. They had not settled on a solution, and Hutch wondered if one would ever be forthcoming.<\/p>\n
“Ken. We’re here.”<\/p>\n
Kim’s voice jolted him out of his reverie.<\/p>\n
Entering the house, Starsky and Hutch stood a bit awkwardly in the foyer with their luggage while Kim ushered in her offspring. Although Kim and Erik supported their relationship, Hutch wasn’t sure whether that support extended to them sharing a bedroom. Hutch had only visited Kim and their family once with Starsky since their committed relationship began. They had stayed in a hotel, and that visit had been abruptly cut short once the elder Hutchinsons had made their disapproval of their son’s new lover known.<\/p>\n
Kim returned to the foyer after installing her children in their own rooms in preparation for their naps. “Oh, Ken, Dave, I’m sorry. Let me show you to your room.”<\/p>\n
“Room? Or rooms?” Hutch asked hopefully.<\/p>\n
“You silly man. Of course you can stay together. The kids aren’t old enough to wonder about any of it, and Erik doesn’t mind. Just try to be a bit discreet\u2014” she winked at them\u2014 “and not too loud.”<\/p>\n
Kim took them to a downstairs guest room that was far away from the other bedrooms, which were upstairs. She drew the blinds and showed them a view of the expansive snowy backyard gleaming under the lights.<\/p>\n
“You should be comfortable here,” she said graciously. “Your bathroom is right across the hall. I put everything in there I think you’ll need, but please let me know if I forgot anything. I’m going to go get the kids settled for their naps and see about dinner.”<\/p>\n
“Thanks, Kimmy,” Hutch said softly, joining Starsky by the window. “This is beautiful. Can we help?”<\/p>\n
She shook her head as she exited the room. “No, not much to do and I’m sure you’re tired from your flight. You may want a nap too. I’ll let you know when dinner is ready.” Before Hutch could reply, she closed the door gently and left them to themselves.<\/p>\n
Hutch looked lovingly into Starsky’s eyes, sighing deeply. Starsky smiled back at him as they relaxed into each other’s arms and reveled in the first moment they had been alone together since leaving the home they shared that morning.<\/p>\n
“Hutch,” Starsky murmured into Hutch’s neck. “I think that nap was a good idea.”<\/p>\n
“I’m tired, too. Let’s unpack a bit and lay down for a while,” Hutch agreed.<\/p>\n
Soon they were naked and snugly pressed against each other in warmth underneath the cozy comforter. Tiredness was forgotten the moment golden skin met bronzed skin. Hungrily, but lovingly, they brought each other to a nearly simultaneous, electrifying climax.<\/p>\n
“Wow,” Hutch panted. “That was quick. What are we, 18?”<\/p>\n
Starsky chuckled. “It’s a good thing we didn’t get together when we were 18. We might have fucked each other to death.”<\/p>\n
Hutch laughed softly, drawing Starsky into a satisfied, languorous kiss. As they came down from the peak and caressed each other drowsily, Starsky began musing aloud.<\/p>\n
“Hutch,” he murmured. “Your sister is the greatest.”<\/p>\n
Hutch, curved tightly around Starsky’s back, smiled into the curls at the nape of his lover’s neck. “Kimmy is wonderful. She and I have always been close. When we were growing up, there were times when we really had to support each other.”<\/p>\n
“Like now,” Starsky agreed. “It seems like a dream that we’re here, together, with her and Erik’s blessing. She has a great husband, even if he does work for your father. And the kids\u2026 they’re beautiful.” Starsky pulled Hutch’s arms tighter around his waist. “Little Hutchlings.”<\/p>\n
Hutch was silent as the pain of his longing resurfaced. Starsky was the fulfillment of his life. But sometimes the cost he would willingly pay to be with this man he adored was an ache in his heart.<\/p>\n
Starsky turned to face his lover. “I’m sorry, babe,” he said softly, kissing Hutch’s neck. “I know\u2026 I know.”<\/p>\n
Hutch held Starsky close, the soft glow of the Christmas lights entering through the window illuminating the golden head and the dark one as they fell into a dreamless slumber.<\/p>\n
A knock on the door roused them from their nap. “Dinner in ten minutes,” came Kim’s voice through the door.<\/p>\n
As they went into the kitchen, Erik rose to greet them. Kim had met her husband through her father’s law practice, where Erik was an attorney. He was tall, blond, friendly, and similar to Hutch in appearance, although not as handsome as her older brother.<\/p>\n
“Ken! Dave! So good to see you!” Erik greeted them, giving them each a brotherly hug. “How was your trip?”<\/p>\n
“Uneventful, which is good,” Hutch replied. “Thank you for inviting us! We are so happy to be here.”<\/p>\n
“And we’re happy too,” Erik said as he strapped Robby into his highchair. “Right, buddy?”<\/p>\n
“Right!” Robby echoed forcefully, drawing a laugh from the rest of the family assembled at the table.<\/p>\n
The home-cooked meal was consumed amid cheerful chatter interrupted by giggles from Katie and Drew as Robby proceeded to smear his food all over his face and fling the rest of it on the floor; between the flailing little arms, Kim managed to spoon at least some of it into his mouth. Kim and Erik filled Hutch and Starsky in on the latest news regarding the law firm and the recent antics of the children. Hutch and Starsky told of some of the more interesting and less gruesome cases they were investigating in their private detective business. Starsky relayed that his mother was well and visiting her sister in Florida for the holiday. He left out the part about Nick being in jail again. The conversation flowed freely until the subject of Richard and Eleanor Hutchinson came up.<\/p>\n
Kim and Erik looked at each other. “They’re in the Bahamas,” Erik said quietly. “One of our clients at the firm\u2014my account\u2014has a condo there, and I um\u2026. suggested to them that they might want to offer it to Richard and Eleanor because they weren’t going to be using it over the holidays.”<\/p>\n
Hutch broke the awkward silence that followed Erik’s news. “They’re doing well then?” Kim and Erik and Starsky all knew that communication between Hutch and his parents had been reduced to only terse and necessary interactions.<\/p>\n
“Yes,” said Kim. “Both healthy. How about some dessert?”<\/p>\n
“Me! Me!” shouted Drew and Katie in unison.<\/p>\n
Hutch and Starsky helped clear the table while Kim brought the dessert out, a scrumptious-looking red velvet cake. Starsky’s eyes grew large, and Hutch shook his head at his partner’s childlike glee at the sight of the multi-layered cake piled high with creamy frosting.<\/p>\n
“This looks amazing, Kim,” Hutch said as he passed the cake platter to his partner. “Starsky’s favorite. You can have my piece, Starsk.”<\/p>\n
Starsky gave Drew and Katie an incredulous look. “He must be crazy! I’ll take it!”<\/p>\n
Kim laughed. “Plenty for everyone! No need to worry!”<\/p>\n
After the table was cleared and Starsky and Hutch helped with the dishes, everyone retired to the family room. Erik had a roaring fire going in the fireplace, and Kim produced blankets and a pot of aromatic coffee to aid in warding off the chill. The children played on the floor while the adults chatted and drank coffee.<\/p>\n
“Mommy! Look at Robby!” suddenly sang Katie, the little mother. “I think he’s ready for bed.”<\/p>\n
Robby had been rolling his toy truck over a track set up by Drew, but at Katie’s alert they all noticed that he was planted face down and sideways on the carpet, his truck clutched in his chubby hand, drool around his tiny mouth. Laughing, Kim scooped him up in her arms and took him upstairs to bed.<\/p>\n
“WEEE don’t have to go to bed yet!” claimed Drew, climbing up on the couch into Hutch’s lap. “Will you read me a story, Uncle Ken?”<\/p>\n
Katie clambered up onto Starsky’s lap. “Yes, yes! Read us a story, Uncle Ken!”<\/p>\n
One arm around the eager little boy, Hutch opened the book given to him by Erik and began to read his nephew and niece the story of the Little Engine that Could. Starsky made chugging sound effects while he cuddled Katie and she giggled in delight. Kim returned and refilled the coffee. Hutch’s voice became almost wistful as he tucked Drew’s platinum head under his chin and finished the story. Starsky looked at Hutch with loving eyes, his face full of compassion and longing he couldn’t suppress. Neither Starsky nor Hutch noticed Erik’s and Kim’s furtive glances at each other.<\/p>\n
“Now it’s time for bed!” announced Erik. “Kim, I’ll take Drew while you take Katie.”<\/p>\n
“Guess it’s time for us to turn in, too.” Hutch nodded at Starsky. “Thank you, Kim and Erik, for a wonderful evening.”<\/p>\n
The partners watched the parents lovingly bundle up their charges and climb the stairs to their bedrooms. As they reached the top of the stairs, Hutch nodded at Starsky, and they made their way down the hall to their bedroom. The moment their door was shut, Hutch went to the window and drew the blinds closed. Starsky came up behind him and wordlessly encircled Hutch’s slender waist with his strong arms, then turned Hutch to him. Hutch’s mouth worked soundlessly, as if he couldn’t express what he was feeling. But Hutch knew that Starsky knew, he knew it all, the tremendous joy and the lingering sorrow. Hutch could feel Starsky’s need to hold him, fill him up with the love they shared, and show him that was all that really mattered. As if on cue, Starsky kissed Hutch’s soft, perfect, soundless lips and pressed Hutch’s trembling body against his own.<\/p>\n
“Shhhh, babe. Come to bed.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
At some time during the night, Hutch stirred and woke briefly. He thought he heard voices from the room above him. Were Kim and Erik having a long, emotional discussion? Feeling like a voyeur, he pulled the covers up, sank into his pillow, and sought the warmth and closeness of Starsky’s body beside him. Starsky didn’t wake but moaned softly at his touch.<\/p>\n
The next thing he knew, he was awakened by a splat on the bedroom window accompanied by gleeful laughter. Rising and peeking through the blinds, he saw Erik and the three children in the backyard making tracks and throwing snowballs in the freshly fallen snow. He watched with amusement as Drew and Katie smashed the snow into little balls and ineffectively tried to throw them at each other. Erik was patiently teaching Robby how to pack the show in his little mittens.<\/p>\n
“Mornin’, my beautiful Blintz. Is that a snowball fight I hear in the backyard?”<\/p>\n
Starsky sat up in bed, his curly hair appealingly disheveled, blue eyes still lidded with sleep. Hutch came to him and sat on the bed, and they hugged each other.<\/p>\n
“The kids,” said Hutch softly. “They’re trying to have a snowball fight.” He stroked Starsky’s face. “They’re so beautiful, so sweet.”<\/p>\n
Starsky pressed Hutch’s hand against his face and held it there.<\/p>\n
“Babe,” he said softly. “We can have our own family. One way or another.”<\/p>\n
Hutch’s smile trembled, but he nodded and kissed Starsky’s hand. Starsky wanted to lighten the mood. It was Christmas, after all.<\/p>\n
“What time is it, Hutch? Time for a little morning delight?”<\/p>\n
Hutch picked up his watch from the bedside table. “Wow, I didn’t realize we had slept this long. I promised Kim I’d help her with the Toys for Tots donations this morning. It’s Christmas Eve day.”<\/p>\n
“I’ll go with you.”<\/p>\n
They rose, showered, dressed, and went to the kitchen where they found Kim finishing her preparation of breakfast. After they ate and cleaned up, they helped her load their station wagon with donated toys that were stored in the garage.<\/p>\n
The morning passed quickly with Starsky and Hutch helping Kim deliver the gifts and make last-minute Christmas preparations while Erik watched the children. In the afternoon, they all helped Kim and the children bake cookies so they could leave some for Santa that night. The children’s eyes were bright with anticipation and joy, their rosy cheeks dusted with flour and their fingers caked with the dough they kept scooping out of the bowl and off the cutting board despite Kim and Erik’s admonitions. In the end, they all ended up laughing and giving up as the children rolled the dough into balls and through the powdered sugar, making a complete but happy mess.<\/p>\n
After the mess was cleaned up, Kim took off her apron and sighed.<\/p>\n
“Ken, Dave, you are welcome to come with us to Christmas Eve service tonight, but I know a Lutheran service may not be your preference.”<\/p>\n
Hutch looked at Starsky, who nodded almost imperceptibly.<\/p>\n
“We’d love to go with you,” Hutch said without hesitation.<\/p>\n
Kim smiled happily. “That’s wonderful! What we usually do is go to the early service, then come home, put out Santa’s cookies and milk, read The Night Before Christmas, and try to get these little scamps to fall asleep before we die of exhaustion ourselves. I’ve got some leftovers we can have for a quick early dinner. Then let’s go get ready for the service!”<\/p>\n
The family had a small meal and prepared for church. A light snow fell as they gathered for the short drive.<\/p>\n
Sitting in the pew next to Katie, Hutch felt her leaning against him, sucking her thumb. His heart full, he put his arm around her and smiled down at her. She looked up at him with her impossibly big blue eyes and his heart fluttered. Looking over at Starsky, he found his partner in a similar condition with Robby ensconced comfortably in his lap. As the choir sang, candles were lit, and the pastor delivered his message of hope for all mankind, goodwill filled the small building. Glancing back at Starsky, Hutch saw that he was touched, even though he knew his Jewish partner didn’t necessarily subscribe to Lutheran doctrine. The spirit of Christmas was for all people, and the gathering of his family and those around them buoyed his hope and filled him with happiness.<\/p>\n
Once arrived back home, the children were dressed in their pajamas, carefully filled Santa’s plate of cookies and glass of milk, and excitedly settled on the couch for the reading of The Night Before Christmas. As head of the household, Erik read the story with Robby in his lap, Katie in her mother’s lap, and Drew snuggled under a blanket between Starsky and Hutch.<\/p>\n
Erik finished the poem and softly closed the book. The fire crackled in the fireplace, the flames dying down. Each child was peacefully asleep in the arms or lap where they were nestled.<\/p>\n
Hutch carried the slumbering Drew upstairs as Erik and Kim carried Robby and Katie. Soon the children were tucked into their beds and doors softly closed for the night.<\/p>\n
Back downstairs, Kim and Erik beckoned Starsky and Hutch. “Want to help us be Santa?” Kim asked.<\/p>\n
“Sure!” they answered. They followed Erik and Kim to the garage where a pile of neatly wrapped gifts waited to be put under the tree. A bicycle with training wheels and a big stuffed dog were taken out of plastic bags and set under the tree with the wrapped gifts. The four of them stepped back and admired the twinkling lights, the beauty of the Christmas tree, and the sparkling gifts at its base.<\/p>\n
“Now, it’s Christmas.” Erik proclaimed. He put his arm around his wife, and she pulled Hutch and Starsky into a four-person embrace.<\/p>\n
“Let’s sit down for a few minutes before we go to bed,” Kim suggested. “I’ll bring out some hot chocolate and we can relax before the big day. They’ll be up early!”<\/p>\n
They sat around the dwindling fire, enjoying the hot chocolate, the glowing embers and sparkling tree, and each other’s company. Hutch found himself relishing the moment. The family he cared about were here, and all was well. He drew Starsky near to him, put his arm around his lover, and said a silent prayer of thanks. Everything was nearly perfect. Nearly.<\/p>\n
Kim rose and picked up her mug to take it to the kitchen.<\/p>\n
“Oh\u2014one more thing,” she said coyly. “Tomorrow morning will be such chaos with the kids opening their gifts and playing with their toys. We have something for you, and we’d like to give it to you now.”<\/p>\n
“But\u2014Kimmy\u2014” Hutch stammered. “We have gifts for you and Erik too. Let me go get them.”<\/p>\n
“Those can wait,” Erik said with a slow smile. “We really just want to give you yours now.”<\/p>\n
Kim left the room and soon came back with two envelopes tied with ribbon and bows. She gave one to Hutch and the other to Starsky, and sat down across from them, taking her husband’s hand. Her eyes glowed and Hutch was afraid for a moment that the glow was due to unshed tears. What was inside the envelope? He was suddenly a bit fearful about opening his, but the steady and hopeful gazes of his sister and her husband somehow filled him with peace. He nodded at Starsky, and they both opened their envelopes. Inside each was a letter.<\/p>\n
“Read it, Ken,” Kim said softly. “Please read it, out loud. We want you and Dave to receive this gift, together, and all the love that comes with it.”<\/p>\n
Hutch glanced sideways at Starsky, then began reading aloud in a hesitant voice.<\/p>\n
“Dearest Ken and Dave,<\/p>\n
We love you both so much. And we want you to know that we understand you love each other with all the passion that Erik and I share. This world can be so cruel and unfair. We believe that when one or two have an opportunity to spread more love, that opportunity should not be missed. Especially when that opportunity has life-changing meaning.”<\/p>\n
Hutch drew a shaky breath, looked up at Kim and Erik, and then at Starsky. What he saw in Starsky’s expression sent shivers down his spine. His partner’s handsome face was full of love, hope, and surging emotion. Starsky had obviously read further down in the letter.<\/p>\n
Hutch took another breath to continue reading out loud, just as he saw tears glistening in his lover’s eyes. Starsky leaned closer into Hutch and Hutch felt him tremble.<\/p>\n
“We see the love and joy in your eyes when you are with Drew, Katie, and Robby, and the other children you have helped. And we see the yearning and silent pain you feel because the joy of your own children, borne out of your love, is not biologically possible.”<\/p>\n
Hutch’s voice cracked. His breath quickened, but he forged on.<\/p>\n
“Ken, my beautiful big brother, you have done so much for me. And I am the only person who can do this one thing for you. Dave, you are my brother’s light and joy. So with Erik’s full blessing, I want to carry a child for you\u2026”<\/p>\n
Hutch stifled a sob. His hands shook. Starsky put his arms around Hutch while his own throat worked. Hutch forced the words out in a quavering voice.<\/p>\n
“…A child that will have the closest genes as possible to the most beautiful, caring, intelligent man that is my brother. And will be a blend of those genes with the man he loves, the man we love as our own family. A beautiful child made with immeasurable love that will live on forever.”<\/p>\n
Hutch could not continue. Tears coursed down his cheeks and he buried his face in Starsky’s shoulder, wet with Starsky’s own tears. Kim and Erik were crying too. Erik stood up and took the letter from Hutch’s hands, finishing the reading of it as best he could.<\/p>\n
“Ken and Dave, please let us give you this gift. The greatest gift of all, to all of us, including Drew, Katie, and Robby, at the time of the greatest gift of all to mankind. We love you so much! Kim and Erik.”<\/p>\n
Silence filled the room while Hutch fought with his emotions. Finally, he looked across at Kim and up at Erik. “My God, Kim, Erik,” he whispered. “Are you\u2026 are you sure? I don’t know if we can let you\u2026 if we can accept this… let you do this. Such a sacrifice. And what if\u2026” he wiped the tears from his face with his hands. “There is always risk. Kim, I couldn’t\u2026 couldn’t bear it if\u2026”<\/p>\n
Kim rose and joined Erik to enfold Hutch and Starsky, who stood to join them in a tender group embrace. The four of them swayed together, buffeted by overwhelming emotion.<\/p>\n
Erik broke the embrace and wiped his own eyes. Holding his wife who was still crying silently with the joy of giving, he found his voice.<\/p>\n
“Ken. We don’t want any more children; we’ve already been blessed three times over. But Kimmy loves being pregnant, don’t you, honey?” He looked fondly at his wife, who nodded through her tears. “She has never had any pregnancy problems. We are both all in on this. This is something that we know you really want, and there is no reason you shouldn’t have it when we have a way to give it to you. To all of us.” His voice grew stronger, with resolve. “This baby will be our family too, you know. A beautiful cousin for our babies.”<\/p>\n
Starsky collected himself enough to speak. “Kim, Erik,” he said shakily. “This is such a wonderful gift, and we do\u2026 we do want it very much.” He gave Hutch a loving glance before continuing. “Right, Hutch?” Hutch’s incredulous sob and the look on his face made them all laugh through their tears and broke some of the emotional tension. “But\u2026 have you thought this all through? Emotional, legal considerations? Risks to Kim and your family?” He and Hutch had done some research on the new phenomenon of surrogacy, and it seemed it could be a perilous road.<\/p>\n
Kim finally was able to talk. “Erik is a lawyer. This is a new way to build a family, but\u2026 he can draw up an agreement if it makes us all feel better. In fact, we are finding that is recommended even between family members.” She kissed Hutch on his wet cheek and Starsky on his. “Please. Let me do this for you. For all of us. I want to.”<\/p>\n
Hutch enveloped his sister in his arms. Standing back, he solemnly looked first at her, then at Erik. “Erik, you aren’t\u2026 you aren’t the only lawyer in the family,” he said dubiously. “What will happen to you at the firm\u2026 when our father learns of this?”<\/p>\n
Erik shook his head. “Richard needs to open his heart to love. Yours, Dave’s, Kimmy’s, mine, our children’s. Eleanor’s and his own. If he won’t, I’ll have any number of opportunities elsewhere. It will be his choice to fracture our family. Not mine.” He smiled broadly. “And just wait until the baby is born. Eleanor will forcibly drag him to visit.”<\/p>\n
That comment elicited another shaky laugh from the small group.<\/p>\n
Hutch and Starsky drew Erik and Kim into another bear hug.<\/p>\n
“Thank you,” Hutch whispered. “Thank you both. We have a lot to think about and a lot to discuss. But right now, I may fall over if I don’t go to bed.”<\/p>\n
“I think we all should,” said Kim. She took Erik’s hand and started for the stairs. “Merry Christmas. Sleep well. I know I will.” She couldn’t resist a parting comment and raised her eyebrows. “Oh\u2026 and now do you see why we wanted to give this to you tonight?”<\/p>\n
Hutch shook his head as she and Erik went up the stairs. “Kimmy,” he called after her. “I love you.” She turned and gave him a joyous smile.<\/p>\n
Starsky and Hutch stood numbly until Kim and Erik disappeared from the landing. Then they turned to each other and wept softly together in their own joyous reality.<\/p>\n
Finally, Hutch wiped the tears from Starsky’s face, took his hand, and led him to the bedroom. Great need was rising within him; need to express the richness of his love for Starsky and the hope of even greater joy that had just been bestowed upon them. He overflowed his love into Starsky, demanding, yet giving, as they surged together toward a rare peak of intensity that dizzily consumed them both.<\/p>\n
In the aftermath of their passionate loving, the room was peaceful. All that could be heard was their gentle breathing as they held each other in silent joy, contemplating the greatest gift of all.<\/p>\n
And Hutch did dream that night\u2014of a little boy with luxurious sable curls, lush thick eyelashes, and the deepest blue eyes he had ever seen.<\/p>\n
“Uncle Kenny! Uncle Kenny! Uncle Davy!” Six little feet tripped over each other in their haste to run to Hutch. Little arms wrapped around his legs and then grabbed for Starsky’s legs as Starsky came up behind him.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,15,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-374","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fic","category-sfw","category-slash"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2023\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2023\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2023\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2023\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2023\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=374"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2023\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":587,"href":"https:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2023\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374\/revisions\/587"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2023\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2023\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=374"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2023\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2023\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/two-dads.jpg\")
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